Comply with applicable customs requirements at all times – Namra

The Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) has urged all traders and travellers to make the requisite declarations and comply with the applicable customs requirements at all times.

This comes after the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court recently ordered the forfeiture of two vehicles contravening provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 20 of 1998.

A media statement issued by Namra spokesperson Steven Ndorokaze on Tuesday notes that an accused person drove through the Trans-Kalahari border post without adhering to the mandatory customs declaration requirements as contained in section 14(1)(a) of the act.
He said the act requires the full declaration of all goods on entry into Namibia.

“Shortly after, a swift and resolute action was taken by members of the Namibian Police, resulting in a pursuit that culminated in the apprehension of the driver at Gobabis,” Ndorokaze said.
The vehicle has been impounded and the court fined the accused N$8 000 or two years imprisonment.

Last Friday, the same court ordered a forfeiture of another vehicle to the state, owing to the failure to declare of foreign obtained goods at entry by the driver, coupled with a N$8 000 fine or two years imprisonment, he said.

Ndorokaze said the forfeiture of the vehicles as ordered by the court is a monumental step towards deterring customs and excise violations.
“It also aligns with the agency’s commitment to upholding customs and excise laws while promoting enhanced compliance,” he said.